Pinkerton's agency solved a series of train robberies during the 1850s, first bringing Pinkerton into contact with George McClellan, then Chief Engineer and Vice President of the Illinois Central Railroad, and Abraham Lincoln, the company's lawyer.

Pinkerton's agency solved a series of train robberies during the 1850s, first bringing Pinkerton into contact with George McClellan, then Chief Engineer and Vice President of the Illinois Central Railroad, and Abraham Lincoln, the company's lawyer.

In 1862, he was captured by the Confederates while scouting after the Battle of Antietam. He was well within Confederate lines, garbed in civilian clothes, while gathering information for General George McClellan.

West Point's class of 1846 was one of the more notable groups to graduate from the United States Military Academy. These soldiers would earn their stripes on the battlefields of the Mexican and Civil wars. During the latter conflict, 22 class members became Union or Confederate generals, including George McClellan, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and George Pickett.

West Point's class of 1846 was one of the more notable groups to graduate from the United States Military Academy. These soldiers would earn their stripes on the battlefields of the Mexican and Civil wars. During the latter conflict, 22 class members became Union or Confederate generals, including George McClellan, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and George Pickett.

West Point's class of 1846 was one of the more notable groups to graduate from the United States Military Academy. These soldiers would earn their stripes on the battlefields of the Mexican and Civil wars. During the latter conflict, 22 class members became Union or Confederate generals, including George McClellan, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and George Pickett. Also among the list of distinguished soldiers from this class was James Oakes,